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Would complete system be worth more or less than the sum of all items?

Is a full setup worth more than the total value of each component individually?

  • Full system should be worth the same as all components individually.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Full system should be worth less than all components individually.

    Votes: 20 60.6%

  • Full system should be worth the same as all components.

    Votes: 1 3.0%

  • Dude...no way to tell, it's all what the market will bring.

    Votes: 12 36.4%
  • Total voters
    33
StraitNet

StraitNet

New Member
Hopefully the thread title made sense, kept changing my mind on the wording so just went with it finally..lol

What I have been wondering for awhile now is whether a full system, say one that has amp combo, turn table and speakers should contain more monetary value as a "Lot" or if there would be more value in the sum of each item combined.

Here is why I go back and forth in my thinking.
Usually when you buy multiple things from one person you generally feel you should get a price break..yet when it comes to something that took so long to put together and is hard to find...is that still the case?

On one hand, The full system contains all parts needed to have a nice system...just plug and play with no need to hunt for the other components and the person interested can hear the setup as it would be if it were their own.
I would "think" it would be pretty hard to find a full system that is ready to go...at least from the years I have been hunting I haven't seen many full setups for sale.

BUT on the other hand, if each part of the system is a different brand then that could cause a decrease in value since the potential buyer may be only a fan of say the Amps..or the Speakers. So they wouldn't put much value on the turn table or vice versa.

So for example:
Items values on their own
Brand A, Amp Value = 500
Brand B, Turn Table = 500
Brand C, Speakers = 500

Would or should that system be valued at the same price of 1500, or should it be valued higher since it's all put together and ready to go...or perhaps should it valued lower since someone is buying it all and making it easier on the seller?

Also...would that same logic hold true if the system were to be all the same brand?

Just one of those things that make me go hmmm lately.

Now that I am posting..I see an option for a POLL...guess I should have scrolled down first..lol
Gonna go ahead add one to this topic.
 
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I think realistically lower.

Unless there are some really hard to find pieces as part of the set that the seller was only willing to part with as a 'set sale', it would be a case where it's doubtful that a buyer would want exactly what was put together by another person, and if you're buying all at once, you typically get a price break since it's easier to get rid of everything at once for the seller.

The other exception might be if the person who put together the system was a famous and well respected audio person - like Nelson Pass's personally optimized system.
 
Less. There's always components one doesn't want or need in the mix, and they discount the system and get a lower value than stand alone sale.
 
Andyman said:
Less. There's always components one doesn't want or need in the mix, and they discount the system and get a lower value than stand alone sale.
Click to expand...
Agreed very few complete systems are worth as much or more if sold as such then selling one by one most people all'ready have some if not most of their system and are willing to pay a premium for the piece/s needed, in fact most speakers and amps receivers etc will bring far more if parted out then sold complete there are some exceptions like AR3 and AR3A speakers that are actually worth more as working speakers but they are the exception not the rule.



Regards Snow
 
It depends. For most system, complete system = less. But for few collection, if they have similar SN to prove, it might be more.
 
I am going with "less" also.

I know in a few cases it does make sense to sell as a set. But I see some sellers out there (doesn't matter where, as I have seen this in multiple places) insist the set be purchased together, and that it will not be broken up. IMHO they just kill most chances of ever selling it. When I shop, I am only looking for one component--speakers, an amp, etc. Now, if they are throwing something in for free with the deal, like an accessory, that is fine. But to insist we buy components we neither need nor want is rather shortsighted, and they shouldn't be upset if we lowball on the price.
 
Generally less, but if it is a matched group of desirable components that folks want the whole stack the value added by having the collection can be there. It is unknown without complete information.
 
If you were buying new retail, you would generally expect (and usually get) some discount for an entire system.
 
Selling complete systems is a good way of getting rid of junk. In your example of $500 separate pieces, I agree with the others that you would have to discount to make it happen.
 
I think it depends on the meaning of a full set up,if you are including speakers, a TT etc i don't think it increases the value,and will likely be a much harder sell.
But if you mean a full spec rack,or a amp pre and tuner then yeah maybe so.
 
In the used market, speakers and their components generally tend to be the opposite of upstream gear. A pair is almost always worth more than the sum of 2 singles while with almost any other pieces of audio gear quantity is expected to be accompanied by discount, and usually is.
 
It all depends

A run of the mill setup that's common, and common condition < pay less, there are many to chose from and you can build your own.

A prim example that might have a hard to get unit/items, owner bought new and has been serviced with all packaging and docs. < well this I could lean to full price on all units, It's not common to get something like that.

A superb example of something that you never see and would take many years if at all possible to put together, Like a very early Sansui tube preamp and matching tube mono blocks. < something like this only comes around once and then you have to decide how much you want it. You''l jump high for rarity.
 
Just as "location, location, location" applies to real estate, "depends, depends, depends" applies here.

That said, situations of a complete system (as well as others consisting of a significant collection) commanding a premium over the same individual items sold separately are comparatively rare.

Not to put too fine a point on it, the circumstances usually have to be pretty special - even extraordinary - for this to occur, but it has been known to happen.
 
It's either Less or Much Less.
Any suggestions otherwise is a nice theory, that almost never work in real life.

And this rule applies not only to audio, but to anything.

If one buy 5,000 records, or 5 houses, or 10 vacant lots he expects a steep discount.
It's because combine price tag is higher, buyer still pays more $$.
 
ymarko said:
It's either Less or Much Less.
Any suggestions otherwise is a nice theory, that almost never work in real life.

And this rule applies not only to audio, but to anything.
Click to expand...

I have to disagree there; I have seen it happen.

As with most things, there are exceptions to the rule.
 
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